He took a little child who He placed among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever, welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One who sent Me.” Mark 9:36-37
Jesus is nearing His crucifixion. He now turns from ministering to the masses to explicitly preparing His disciples for the near future. They had no clue, and at this time the prophecies were not yet connecting to the present. John becomes very concerned with the order of authority among those who believe. He has a mind for business, leadership and organization. Such things were not evidence of his self absorption, but a need to prepare in the only way he knows how, the get people put in their proper places and commence with a plan. Jesus has a better way.
Jesus is a master craftsman of men. We were created in God’s image and when the incarnate Creator came to dwell among us He set to work returning us to His likeness. The least, the marginalized, those with compromised voices, were a priority to Jesus. Mistreat them, He feels it first person. John and the others in Jesus’ presence had to get this right because it is fundamental to understanding the future of Kingdom Building.
It is the life cycle of love. Love the least of all, love Jesus…… Love Jesus, love God…… Love God love all……….
Love,
Gretchen